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What to Wear on a Boat

I know I know, ‘What am I going to wear on the boat’ is pretty much at the top of the list of First World Problems, up there with inexplicable anger when your phone battery dies and eating so much you get sleepy. Regardless, if you’re lucky this Summer you might get invited on a boat. Yay! Rejoice because a) drinking Aperol Spritz’s in the sunshine on the water is what Summer 2015 is all about and b) you don’t own said boat (ask anyone who owns a boat and they’ll tell you that it’s like throwing money out the window).

And considering all that, naturally you’re going to want to look good on this venture. You deserve to! And although I didn’t start out always being good at dressing for a boat – my earliest experience was a work trip in which my dress blew up constantly and showed everyone my knickers – recent experience in Hong Kong, where many people own boats and thus lots of opportunities to make plenty of other mistakes, has helped me shape a few rules for dressing for a boat. In a nutshell it’s about striking a balance between looking good, comfort and the practicalities of the boat. Read on for a few thoughts.

No matter what the forecast says, or what the weather is like before you leave, be prepared for both cold and windy and blazing hot sunshine. Pack sunscreen and a hat (make sure it fits properly as that pesky wind can strike at any time) as well as something warm to throw on like a denim shirt (like this one) or utility jacket (like this one).

Choose the right footwear

Make sure it’s something that can slip on and off easily and something with a bit of grip. I’m all about a flat but a wedge could also work (although is much less practical). Sandals (like these) or converse (like these) are perfect – just make sure they have light coloured soles. Black soles that mark the deck are a big no no and the first rule of boating etiquette.

Keep clothing basic

Don’t wear anything that is too precious so avoid silk and anything that you wouldn’t want getting wet – Denim is a great hardy fabric to wear – these denim shorts or these ones would be perfect. Hats and discarded items of clothing are notorious for flying off the boat too, so be careful!

Take a big bag

I always take a few outfits with me when I go on a boat, mainly because sometimes your clothes get wet or you want something more comfortable to wear. That’s where a big bag will come in – a large tote that can handle a few changes as well as your magazines and beauty products.

Take a pair of sunnies (or three)

Forgetting to bring a pair of sunglasses will truly ruin your day. I always take more than one pair because I find that friends sometimes don’t bring their own – sharing is caring! I just make sure I get them back at the end of the the day 🙂

Arrive with your swimsuit already on

Space is a big issue on boats and the changing facilities are usually below deck in the toilet. Small and cramped and terrible if you get seasick so spend as little time in there as possible. Bikinis are just as appropriate as a one piece, but I love that my one piece doubles as a bodysuit as soon as you throw on a pair of shorts. This looks like the perfect one piece, and I love this nautical swimsuit.

Consider Short Skirts or dresses carefully

Not only are these a bad idea in windy conditions but boats are often 2 levels. You spend a lot of the day climbing up and down the ladder between them so don’t wear a skirt of dress. The upper deck is where all the sunbathing happens too! A romper like this one is a great alternative.

Other tips

If you arrive in your swimsuit don’t forget to bring your underwear. A kaftan is great for throwing over your swimsuit while in the cabin or eating lunch (and is super sun smart). Don’t be afraid to get into the boating spirit. Nothing says nautical like blue and white with a touch of red and some tan accessories. Oh, and on the practical side – fashion doesn’t apply when you feel like there’s a need to put s life jacket on (when you’re inverting or traversing the seaway for example), and don’t ever get in the water when the engine or propellor are still on.

It’s like you’re reading my mind 😮 All your posts somehow always manage to arrive in the right place and at the right time. I remembered going through quite a lot of trouble packing for my first trip of summer vacation and your post about the 5 packing rules showed up. Right now, I’m planning on going on a boat trip by the end of this month and here you are with this post <3 Thank you so much for sharing <3

Geneva, great pictures – as usual! Love your one piece – looks so sexy 😉
“Forgetting to bring a pair of sunglasses will truly ruin your day. ” – this is sooo true. I bring 2-3 pairs of sunglasses everywhere. Summer Montreal has a quite harsh sun, and t is almost impossible to go outside in the afternoon without sunglasses. So, I very understand it 🙂

Great tips! I’ve never thought about why boat shoes always have white soles, but it makes so much sense! I love that you focus on practicality and comfort, the rest falls into place. Your outfit is fabulous, and I especially love your suit!
xx Sydney

Abigail

Great tips! I always take sunnies but never a hat as my head is so huge I have to precariously balance hats on it so I’m sure it’d fly off with the ocean wind haha.

the link for the her one piece directs to a shirt tutorial… could you fix? only cause I’m dying to know where I can get that one piece for myself. Thanks 🙂

Liv

Me too!

Carley

you look so cute! i race often in the summer with my parents but the cold North Atlantic makes sailing slightly different when the ocean is jumping up to meet you! Nothing a hot cup of tea can’t fix though!!

Dear Geneva
Initially I thought your top was one of the lovely silk Grana racer back camisoles (until I got to the part in your article to avoid wearing silk and delicate material – now I know!) On that note, however, how does one wear a bra underneath Grana’s racer back camisoles/that cut of the camisole, without the visual of the back being ruined by the rest of the bra showing through?
Cindy